Shortly after Clippers general manager Mike Dunleavy stepped down as coach, Fox Sports circulated a preposterous report that Los Angeles had “reached out” to Isiah Thomas regarding every front-office position of consequence as well as Chief Leak.

Predictably, both sides denied all knowledge . . . as if Farmer Thomas would ever plant something to make himself look good.

Remember when Thomas, on the unemployment line while pocketing $7 million per season, offered his stained services to the Clips last winter? For free? He used a similar approach to get the Florida International job.

Well, at the time, team president Andy Roeser respectfully met with Thomas to hear his pitch. Later on, Dunleavy took him to lunch. Despite being told there were no openings, Thomas hung around Los Angeles for a while and tried to ingratiate himself to Donald Sterling. He thought he was getting over.

Little did he know Sterling begged team officials to stop Thomas from pestering him — “Please keep him away from me.”

This is the same owner purported by Foxsports.com to want Thomas to take exclusive charge of upstairs and downstairs.

The rationale being, what? The False Prophet had done such a bang-up job with the Knicks as coach, general manager, president and Chief Leak?

This just in: Foxsports.com reports David Stern wants Thomas to be the commissioner of the Development League.

* THIS JUST IN: Sources reveal Rajon Rondo will receive a belated invitation to join 24 other NBA players when they try out for Team USA — competing in the World Championship in Turkey — Aug. 28-Sept. 12. Miscommunication apparently caused the Celtics’ All-Star to be ignored. That changed once he expressed a fervent willingness to participate.

* THE SALAHIS AND I never got invitations to Monday’s Garden reunion of the 1970 championship team. Nevertheless, I was all set to attend. Too bad the Knicks ruined a perfectly wonderful occasion by scheduling a home game that night.

Wonder what Mike Riordan — Red Holzman‘s take-a-foul role player on that ’70 team — thinks of Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni‘s pathetic percentage reverse policy? He would have been out of business before anyone realized he could stick a springer when it counted.

While on the subject of unreasonable rules, on orders from James Dolan, security guards forbid fans from walking in front of his seat on the baseline adjacent to the Knicks bench. If they want to visit someone in a nearby section they must hike through the back and around.

Knicks team president Donnie Walsh couldn’t ask for a more beguiling recruiting ‘tool’ when it’s time for free agents to visit. When will Le Bron James get an other chance to work for such an upstand ing people person?

If humanely pos sible, Dolan is smaller than life.

* TO THE SURPRISE of no one, Zydrunas Ilgauskas‘ contract was bought out by the Wizards — as op posed to much of their roster, which was led out of Washington.

A valid case can be made that the 7-foot-3 center’s judgment regard ing his next desti nation can impact the balance of power in either con ference. What will be the deciding influence, his heart or his head?

Clearly, the Cavaliers own a firm grip on Z’s emotions. He spent his entire career, 11-plus seasons with Cleveland. And since James arrived, he has been intimately involved in the hunt for a championship whose scent has never been stronger.

Franchise affections and community connections are indisputable. Z’s best friend is former teammate and current general manager Danny Ferry, whereas his most formidable ally is James.

What’s more, Z’s wife and family, including two adopted Lithuanian children — don’t plan to re-locate, at least for the time being.

That seemingly eliminates the Nuggets as contenders for his services. Brendan Haywood‘s stellar acquisition by the Mavericks evidently makes their initial interest moot.

That establishes the Hawks as the Cavaliers’ solitary competition. Other than being within easy commuting distance from his family, why is Z seriously considering them?

First of all, Z lost his starting job when Shaquille O’Neal was obtained last summer. Not because he got outplayed, mind you. Coach Mike Brown just turned his job over to the calloused cape crusader, thus greatly diminishing his minutes and responsibility.

Next, Z was the odd man out to make cap room for Antawn Jamison. That means there’s even less frontcourt daylight to spread around should he return to Cleveland.

Then again, notes one astute observer, “Since Shaq began doing a lot of heavy lifting he’s half as effective. If his increased minutes and demand on his body continue, he’ll be burnt out by mid-March.”

Oops, then again, try late February; Shaq “significantly sprained his right during the first half of last night’s victory in Boston.

As for the hopped-up Hawks, a fraction or two behind the Cavaliers and Magic in the East, they present Z with an instant opportunity, no if, ands or buts, to hold down Al Horford — do what the All-Star banger can’t do, stretch the defense, clog the arteries and prosecute trespasses.

They also offer greater exposure than Cleveland should he wish to play again next season.

Understandably, Zydrunas is confused. He’s too nice. Revenge served summarily always works best for me.